Bat EcologyMA . O . 18 May-20 May . Fri-Sun . £230 . £157A course open to all who wish to developtheir knowledge and skills of bats, of whichmany species are found within MargamPark. Time will be spent working with batdetectors on dusk and dawn roost watchesand catching bats using a variety ofmethods. Theory sessions will coveraspects of ecology, identification,conservation and the law. This will be abusy course including lots of night timework! Richard Cromptonhas over 15years' experience working with bats in theUK and Europe as a bat worker, trainer andtrustee of the Bat Conservation Trust.Identification of BatsPM . I . 18 May-21 May . Fri-Mon . £334 . £235This course provides an introduction to thefascinating world of bats and the methodsused to detect and identify the Britishspecies. Through laboratory and outdoorsessions students will learn about batbehaviour, ecology and conservation.Rebecca Collinsis an experienced batworker and ecologist who enjoys sharingknowledge with others. *BIIdentification, Ecology andConservation of BatsFM . I . 13 Jul-15 Jul . Fri-Sun . £294 . £214This comprehensive introduction to batidentification, natural history andconservation combines daytime talks andworkshop sessions with evening activitiesto watch for bats. It is suitable for anyonewith a general or professional interest inbats, including those working towards aNatural England batworkers' licence. Brianand Patty Briggshave extensive experiencein bat conservation, training of bat workersand the use of bat detectors. Slapton Ley and its Wildlife: anExtraordinary Journey through Time and SpaceSL. O. 27 Jul-29 Jul. Fri-Sun. £225. £160This course is for anyone with an interest inBritish wildlife and how its composition hasbeen influenced by geological and humanfactors. Slapton's rich diversity of habitats,coupled with some remarkable landscapefeatures, makes it an ideal place toexperience and discuss a wide range ofwildlife topics. David Dixon is an easygoing and inspirational course leaderwhose background is in marine science andanimal behaviour. British Mammals: Ecology and ConservationSL . O . 27 Jul-29 Jul . Fri-Sun . £225 . £160This course will show you how to look formammals. We will have close encounterswith small mammals, bats, and probablybadgers, and will study the tracks and signsof other species. The programme willinvolve a combination of talks, walks andsite visits, with evenings spent watchingbadgers and bats. Fiona Mathewsis SeniorLecturer in Mammalian Biology at TheUniversity of Exeter and has workedextensively on small mammals, badgers andbats. Discovering BatsEF. B. 12 Aug. Sun. Non-residential. £41.75See course description 06 May. RogerHarvard.Scottish Mammals KD. O. 24 Aug-27 Aug. Fri-Mon. £189. £142The latest in a series of in-depth coursescovering a variety of mammal species in theScottish Highlands. This weekend willintroduce the biology, ecology andconservation status of otters and watervoles with an emphasis on the importanceof fieldwork techniques, tracks and signs.Suitable for environmental consultants.John Haddowis a mammal ecologist andan experienced tutor.Otters, Water Voles and OtherRiverside MammalsFM. I. 31 Aug-02 Sep. Fri-Sun. £288. £220See course description 13 Apr-15 Apr.Darren Tansley.Land Mammal IdentificationPM. I. 31 Aug-03 Sep. Fri-Mon. £334. £235An exciting opportunity to encounter andidentify many British mammals throughfield signs, live-trapping and sightings. Thecourse is practically-based with field visitsand laboratory sessions designed tointroduce a range of detection andidentification skills. Jackie Underhillis anexperienced and enthusiastic trainer whohas spent several years carrying outresearch into UK mammals. She now worksas an independent ecological consultant. *BIEcology, Surveying and Conservation of DormiceFM. O. 14 Sep-16 Sep. Fri-Sun. £288. £210A course focusing on the hazel dormousefor anyone with a professional or a strongamateur interest in this elusive smallmammal of woodlands and hedgerows. Itis suitable for ecologists, countrysideprofessionals and managers interested inBiodiversity Action Plan species andanyone wishing to work towards a NaturalEngland licence to handle dormice. SimoneBullion is Consultancy Manager withSuffolk Wildlife Trust and Alison Looserisa contract staff member. Both are closelyinvolved with dormouse reintroductionschemes in Suffolk and Essex.Discovering BadgersEF . B . 23 Sep . Sun . Non-residential . £38.50This one-day course is designed for thosewho want to learn more about badgers. ItOtter at BoshertonClive HurfordRed squirrelTim Foster18*Accredited courses which could count towards a qualification (see page 43).BLBlencathra .DFDale Fort . DGDerrygonnelly .EFEpping Forest .FMFlatford Mill . JHJuniper Hall .KDKindrogan .MTMalham Tarn .MAMargam .OROrielton .PMPreston Montford .RCRhyd-y-creuau .SLSlapton Ley NEWNEWNEW

will cover their anatomy, lifestyle andcharacteristics. Participants will visit anactive sett in the afternoon and learn howto watch and track these elusivemammals. Don Hunford, a foundermember of the Essex Wildlife Trust, hasbeen watching badgers since the 1950sand was recently on BBC Springwatchshowing his expertise.Small MammalsKD . O . 05 Oct-09 Oct . Fri-Tue . £205 . £154This short course offers an introduction tomonitoring small mammal populations. Itwill cover: safe handling techniques; thewhere and how of setting 'live traps';identifying likely spots for catching targetspecies; reading tracks and signs; dissectingkestrel and owl pellets and identifying theirprey remains. In addition we willundertake evening bat detecting sessions,watch rutting deer and attempt a lateevening stake-out for pine martin andwildcat. Jeff Clarke is a freelance ecologistand environmental educator with a lifelongpassion for the natural world. Invertebratesbutterflies & mothsButterfly Conservation ispleased to be associatedwith the courses run bythe FSC and fullysupports the aim ofpromoting active conservation throughlearning. For more details about the workof Butterfly Conservation or formembership information, contact: Butterfly Conservation, Manor Yard, East Lulworth, Wareham, Dorset, BH20 5QP Telephone 0870 7744309 www.butterfly-conservation.orgSpecial Spring MothsKD. O. 02 Apr-07 Apr. Mon-Sat. £340. £255Nationally scarce spring specialities, suchas the Rannoch brindled beauty, the sword-grass and the Rannoch sprawler will bestudied as will their habitats. Illustratedtalks, along with help and advice onidentification and recording will helpdevelop your skills. David Brownhas lednumerous FSC courses and is the author ofThe Larger Moths of Warwickshire.Butterflies and Moth IdentificationBL. O. 01 Jun-07 Jun. Fri-Thu. £390. £290Countryside walks will be used to study thespecial species of butterflies and moths ofthis beautiful area. Help on identificationand information on the species and theirhabitat requirements will be provided.Light traps will be used and inspected eachmorning, followed by visits to specialhabitats. David Brown, the WarwickshireCounty Recorder for Lepidoptera andauthor of The Larger Moths of Warwickshire,has lectured widely and led numerous FSCcourses.Identifying Moths and ButterfliesFM. I. 13 Jul-15 Jul . Fri-Sun. £236. £168A weekend introducing the identificationand natural history of one of the mostattractive insect groups, using only livetrapping techniques. Working through themoth catches in the mornings will befollowed by butterfly identification in theafternoons. Local species include pine andprivet hawk moths and white admiral andpurple hairstreak butterflies. Sheila Wrightis a County Wildlife Recorder forNottinghamshire and regularly leads thiscourse at Flatford Mill. *BIButterflies and Moths on FilmFM. O. 20 Jul-22 Jul. Fri-Sun. £240. £172This absorbing weekend course will showyou how to get the best from your owndigital stills camera and/or camcorderwhen photographing or filming butterfliesand moths. Bring any equipment that youare familiar with, plus there will bespecialist macro equipment available foryou to try out. The identification andnatural history of these fascinating groupsof insects will also be covered to give a fullyrounded experience. Piers WarrenandMike Linleyare professional wildlife film-makers and photographers with manyyears of teaching experience.The Mammal SocietyThe following courses are run by TheMammal Society. For further informationand to book these or any other coursesthey run, please contact The MammalSociety directly (details below).?The prices shown are for an individual booking stayingin a single room. Cheaper options are available and thereis an additional 10% discount on this price if theindividual is a member of The Mammal Society. If anemployer or other organisation is paying for the trainingthen an additional £25 is charged for the booking.Mammal Identification WeekendFMO17 Feb-19 FebFri-Sun £230*DGO11 May-13 MayFri-Sun£230*KDO22 Jun-24 JunFri-Sun £230*PMO19 Oct-21 OctFri-Sun £230*Ideal for all levels of experience frombeginners through to those looking tofurther develop their skills, this two and ahalf day residential course in beautifulsurroundings is an excellent, in depthintroduction to the techniques used to spotmammals in their habitat includingsightings, calls and field signs. In theclassroom you will cover identificationtechniques for each terrestrial species andlearn how to put your skills into practice byrecording mammals in the field. Thecourse also includes practical sessions inthe field and lab, including small mammaltrapping and owl pellet analysis. You will have the chance to sit an optionalassessment, which, if passed, will earn youa Certificate in Basic MammalIdentification jointly accredited by TheMammal Society and the Field StudiesCouncil.Small Mammal Ecology and Survey TechniquesPMO03 MarSatNon-residential £95*KDO19 MaySatNon-residential £95*Designed for those looking to furtherdevelop their skills and experience, thisone-day course begins with an earlymorning practical trapping session andincludes examination of the most suitablesurvey techniques for various scenarios,any legal requirements and best practice inall aspects of trapping.The basics of species identification arecovered but the course will be of mostbenefit to those who already have someexperience in this area and wish to improvetheir skills. It is the ideal course for thoseconsidering or currently undertaking asmall mammal survey.For more information on theseand other mammal coursesplease contact The MammalSociety directly:The Mammal Society (Training)3 The CarronadesNew Road Southampton SO14 0AATel: 0238 0237 874Email: enquiries@mammal.org.ukwww.mammal.org.uk Discounts for shared accommodationShared accommodation is usually available on our residential courses at a discounted price. The cost isnormally around £10 per night less than sole occupancy price. Please contact the Centre (see page 2)for an exact price.centreleveldatesdayssole occupancynon-residentialfee FM . O . 01 Feb-03 Feb . Fri-Sun . £174 . £135www.field-studies-council.org/animals19Birds & other AnimalsHumming bird hawk mothGwyn Jordan